Stig Pryds' Diet Evolution: A Personal Journey

Stig Pryds' life took a turn for the worst when he was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2008. The illness left him unable to walk and he lost his business. For five years, Pryds took medication and followed doctors' orders, but his pain only worsened. In 2012, he decided to quit all drugs cold turkey, overhaul his diet, and take up yoga and freediving. Within a few months, his mobility had improved significantly, and he was able to move around without a cane.

Stig Pryds' diet change was part of a wider lifestyle change

Pryds' new diet was just one aspect of his holistic approach to healing himself from psoriatic arthritis. He also underwent a detox to wean himself off strong pain medication, practiced hot yoga to improve flexibility and reduce joint swelling, and took up freediving classes, where he discovered his gift for breath-hold diving.

The combination of these lifestyle changes had a profound impact on Pryds' health. Within a few short months, his mobility significantly improved, and he was able to move around without a cane. Within a year, Pryds had become one of the best freedivers in the world, setting Danish records and travelling the world to dive.

Pryds' story is a testament to the power of holistic healing and the potential for lifestyle changes to transform lives. By changing his diet and adopting a range of new practices, Pryds was able to recover from a debilitating illness and discover a new passion for freediving, which he now shares with others through motivational speaking and teaching.

He quit drugs cold turkey

Stig Pryds's journey to recovery from his addiction to morphine and other drugs is a remarkable one. He decided to quit drugs cold turkey, which meant stopping his drug use immediately without gradually reducing his intake. This method can be dangerous and challenging, especially for those who are dependent on substances like Pryds.

Pryds's decision to quit cold turkey was driven by his desire to take control of his health and life. He had been suffering from psoriatic arthritis, a chronic condition that caused extreme pain and significantly impacted his mobility. To manage his pain, Pryds had been taking a variety of medications, including morphine, methadone, and rheumatic drugs. However, he became addicted to these substances, and they were only masking his symptoms without providing any healing.

Pryds's cold turkey experience was difficult and painful. He experienced intense withdrawal symptoms, including pain, insomnia, restlessness, chills, irregular heart rate, concentration and memory issues, mental health concerns like depression and anxiety, muscle aches, suppressed appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and an inability to feel pleasure. These symptoms lasted for several weeks, and he did not sleep for the first ten days. To manage his symptoms, Pryds smoked a lot of pot and consumed vegetable juice, which his partner, Anja, made for him. He also found relief in hot baths, breath-holding exercises, and meditation.

Despite the challenges, Pryds successfully quit drugs cold turkey. He then adopted a new diet and continued his breath-holding exercises, meditation, and yoga practice. Within a few weeks, he was completely free of medication and could walk without a cane for the first time in years. He had also fallen in love with freediving and was well on his way to becoming a professional in the sport.

Pryds's story is a testament to his strength and determination. By quitting drugs cold turkey, he regained control over his health and life, eventually becoming one of the world's best freedivers. His journey serves as an inspiration to others struggling with addiction and chronic illnesses.

He took up yoga and freediving

Stig Pryds' life took a turn for the worst when he was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2008. The illness left him unable to walk and he lost his business. For five years, Pryds relied on medication and doctors' orders to manage his pain, but his condition only worsened.

Realising that he needed to take a different approach, Pryds decided to quit his medication cold turkey, overhaul his diet, and take up yoga and freediving. Within a few short months, his mobility had improved significantly and he was able to move around without a cane.

Pryds discovered freediving by chance while taking swim classes for his condition, where he was introduced to breathing exercises. He soon realised that he had a natural talent for breath-hold diving. He also took up yoga, which helped him to manage his arthritis. The hot yoga he practised helped to reduce swelling in his joints and made him feel strong.

Pryds' new lifestyle helped him to manage his pain and he soon became one of the best freedivers in the world. He set Danish records and travelled the world to dive. He also became a motivational speaker, teaching others with chronic illnesses about the breathing techniques and lifestyle changes that helped him to manage his condition.

He started doing breathing exercises

Stig Pryds's journey from a man riddled with illness to one of the world's best freedivers is nothing short of inspiring. His battle with psoriatic arthritis, morphine addiction, and his own mental state is a testament to the power of the mind and the incredible things it can achieve.

Stig's transformation was not an easy one, and it required a lot of hard work and dedication. One of the key components of his journey was the incorporation of breathing exercises into his daily routine. Stig started doing breathing exercises as a way to improve his ability to hold his breath while diving, but he soon discovered that they offered a plethora of additional benefits that aided his overall health and well-being.

The Benefits of Breathing Exercises:

Reducing Stress and Improving Mental Health:

Breathing exercises are well-known for their ability to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. By lowering cortisol levels, breathing exercises can help reduce stress and its associated weight gain. Stig himself suffered from high levels of stress and anxiety, which likely contributed to his overall health decline. By incorporating these exercises into his routine, he was able to calm his nervous system and improve his mental state.

Boosting Metabolism:

Proper breathing techniques can enhance oxygen intake, which is crucial for efficient cellular metabolism. Increased oxygen levels can boost the body's resting metabolic rate (RMR), meaning the body burns more calories even at rest. This increase in metabolic rate may have helped Stig burn more energy and support his weight loss journey.

Controlling Hunger:

Certain breathing exercises can help manage hunger and cravings. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing increase the sense of fullness and control the urge to overeat. Stig's new diet, combined with controlled breathing, likely helped him stick to his nutritional goals and manage his appetite.

Types of Breathing Exercises:

Diaphragmatic Breathing:

Also known as belly breathing, this technique involves inhaling deeply enough to stretch the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle below the lungs and above the belly. By drawing in a deep breath, the diaphragm relaxes and moves downward, creating space in the chest for the lungs to expand. This increases oxygen flow in the body, boosting the ability of cells to burn calories.

Senobi Breathing:

This Japanese-style deep breathing involves leaning back, stretching the arms overhead, and inhaling and exhaling slowly. A study found that practicing Senobi breathing for a month led to a significant reduction in body fat percentage.

Alternate Nostril Breathing:

This exercise involves inhaling and exhaling through alternating nostrils by closing one side at a time with the fingers. It helps balance the body's energy, reduces stress, and enhances mental focus.

Box Breathing:

Inhale through the nose for a count of four, hold the breath for a count of four, exhale through the mouth for a count of four, and then hold the breath again for a count of four. This technique is effective for managing stress and enhancing mental clarity, which can support weight loss efforts.

Stig's dedication to his breathing exercises, combined with his new diet and diving passion, helped him transform his life. Not only did he regain his health, but he also rediscovered his love for life and a sense of pride in himself and his accomplishments.

He adopted an alkaline diet

Stig Pryds' journey from a disabled man struggling with psoriatic arthritis to one of the world's best freedivers is an inspiring story of self-recovery and determination. After hitting rock bottom, Stig decided to take control of his health and underwent a significant transformation, which included adopting an alkaline diet.

Stig's health issues began in 2008 when he was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory joint disease that caused him immense pain and debilitation. The traditional medical route offered little relief, and he found himself dependent on strong medications, including morphine and methadone, which only provided temporary symptom management.

In 2013, five years after his diagnosis, Stig made a bold decision to quit all his medications cold turkey and embrace a holistic approach to healing. He underwent a detox to wean himself off the drugs and, alongside this, he adopted an alkaline diet. This type of diet is believed to help balance the body's pH levels and reduce inflammation, which is a key factor in managing psoriatic arthritis.

The alkaline diet involves consuming mainly alkaline-forming foods, which are believed to help neutralize the body's acid levels. Stig's new diet consisted largely of vegetables, with a particular focus on leafy greens such as kale and broccoli. He also included small amounts of chicken and fish in his meals, ensuring a balanced intake of protein. Additionally, Stig supplemented his diet with protein powder and experimented with different types of oils, such as fish oil, to optimize his nutrition.

Stig's decision to adopt an alkaline diet was a crucial aspect of his overall lifestyle change. By reducing inflammation in his body, he was able to manage his arthritis symptoms more effectively. This, combined with his practice of yoga and freediving, empowered him to reclaim his health and mobility. Within a short period, Stig went from being dependent on canes and a wheelchair to becoming an accomplished athlete, setting depth records in freediving and representing Denmark in international competitions.

Stig's journey serves as a testament to the healing power of dietary choices and their impact on overall health and well-being. By sharing his story, he inspires others facing similar challenges to take control of their health and embrace a holistic approach to healing, with diet being a fundamental pillar of their transformation.

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